Four nights, full board, and as much or as little structure as you need.
Woodland. Fires. A plunge pool. Thirty-two men, and no need to explain why you belong.
A four-night residential created by and for men of trans experience aged 25 and over.
A typical day, on your own terms
Workshops, optional throughout
There will be a full programme of optional workshops to dip into, including creative writing, art, movement, sport and fitness, breathwork, games, music, meditation, comedy and joy workshops.
We're also hoping to offer on-site barbering and massage, subject to final availability.
Men are also welcome to add something of their own: a skill, story, practice, game, craft, hobby or way of moving. You do not need professional credentials or previous facilitation experience. These are peer-led contributions rather than professional services or advice.
The boundaries are consent, safety, access, legality and venue rules. Everyone chooses for himself whether to take part, and the team may pause an activity if those boundaries are not being respected.
Come to everything. Come to nothing. Both are fine.
Food, properly catered
All meals are vegetarian or vegan, freshly cooked and included.
We ask about coeliac disease, allergies, intolerances and other dietary requirements in advance, including cross-contamination needs. We will confirm with you directly what can be safely accommodated before your place is confirmed.
Beyond the workshops
Woodland walks, nightly fires, a plunge pool nearby, crafts, games, music, conversation and a soirée with an open mic night to round things off.
Everything is optional. Use your time here however serves you best.
The setting
Brother Nature is held at a private venue in the Forest of Dean, surrounded by woodland and nature.
Most bedrooms sleep two or three men and are en-suite. There is one larger room for up to six, with bathroom facilities directly beside it.
All workshop rooms and shared areas, including the dining areas, are step-free. A quiet room is available throughout the day.
One step-free, wheelchair-accessible bedroom sleeps up to three men and has a wet room. Three further rooms are reached by two or three steps. Full details are available on our Accessibility page.
We keep the exact location private until your place is confirmed, to protect the privacy and safety of participants.
Read more about the venue and accommodation Read the Accessibility page
A sober space
Brother Nature is a sober residential. No alcohol or recreational drugs are permitted on site.
Who holds the space
Brother Nature was founded and is led by Ash Carolan. He has developed the project from the ground up and will be present throughout all four nights of the residential.
Tal Frost is a confirmed member of the residential team, alongside organisers, workshop and activity facilitators, and community contributors bringing different skills, experiences and forms of support to the residential.
The full team, including what each person will be bringing and who will be present throughout the four nights, will be published as soon as it is confirmed.
All workshop facilitators are trans men. They stay for the whole residential and, when they are not leading something, they take part alongside everyone else. They are here as community facilitators rather than therapists or clinicians. Workshops sit within clear safeguarding structures, but Brother Nature does not provide one-to-one or group therapy.
Interested in helping bring Brother Nature to life?
Support during the residential
The residential will have a dedicated safeguarding lead, clear safeguarding procedures and a team who care about every man who comes through the door.
For some men, this may be the first time they have spent several days surrounded entirely by other trans men. That can feel powerful, joyful, unfamiliar or unexpectedly emotional. If something feels difficult, you can speak to a team member, take some space, or ask for help thinking through what you need.
If something feels difficult, you can speak to a member of the team. They can listen, help you take a pause, find a quieter space, think through practical options or help you raise a concern.
This is emotional and practical support within the residential. It is not counselling, crisis care, medical treatment or ongoing one-to-one support. We are not able to provide personal care or the specialist support somebody may need during an active mental-health crisis.
If you have specific access or support needs, contact us beforehand at access@brothernature.co.uk. We will talk with you honestly about what support is available and whether the residential can meet your needs safely, so we can plan well together.
How we treat one another
Our Community Values set out how we treat one another throughout the residential.
Every man is received as a man. We ask everyone to protect confidentiality, respect consent, meet difference with openness and curiosity, and take responsibility for the space we create together.
Racism, ableism, ageism and other forms of exclusion are addressed rather than left to the person affected.
19–23 July 2027. Applications are open.
Brother Nature will run for four nights at a private venue in the Forest of Dean.
Applications are open for Brother Nature, 19–23 July 2027. Places will be allocated through an anonymised ballot after applications close. If you're offered a place, you'll confirm it by paying a 25% deposit.
To be confirmed.
The cost will cover the whole residential: food, accommodation and workshops.
We are fundraising to keep the cost as low as possible and provide a small number of bursary places. The final cost and bursary arrangements will be confirmed before applications open.
Apply for a place